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| SPAT0007-2 | Variable stars
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| Duration : | 20h Th, 10h Pr |
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| Number of credits : |
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| Lecturer : | Grégor Rauw |
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Language(s) of instruction :
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| French language |
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Organisation and examination :
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| Teaching in the first semester, review in January |
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Course contents :
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| In astrophysics you are only allowed to watch your targets, you cannot manipulate them in a lab. Therefore, it is important to gather as much information as possible to understand the nature of the objects that are being investigated. In this context, temporal variability provides a precious tool.
The observational properties of many different categories of variable stars (including single and multiple objects) are presented. Various techniques to study these objects are described and the latest models derived from these observations are presented.
An important part of the course deals with multiple systems harbouring two or more stars. We consider the techniques used to infer fundamental stellar parameters (masses, radii,...) from the study of spectroscopic and eclipsing binaries. We also discuss interacting binaries, such as cataclysmic variables, novae, X-ray binaries,... For single stars, the lectures focus on the different categories of pulsating stars across the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram as well as their period-luminosity relations. The variability of massive stars, mainly due to structures in their stellar winds, is also described. |
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Learning outcomes of the course :
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| After completing this course, the students will be able to answer notably three major questions:
- What are the general properties of variable stars?
- How to extract the most relevant information from their spectra and/or light curves?
- How to interpret the observed variability?
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Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
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| Good knowledge of mathematics, physics and classical mechanics. |
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
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| During two hand-on sessions, the students have the opportunity to analyze the light curve of an eclipsing binary system and the radial velocity curve of a spectroscopic binary using dedicated software.
Based on the techniques taught during the hand-on sessions , the students will do a personal project where they are asked to either prepare new observations of a variable star with the TIGRE robotic telescope, or to analyze such observations. |
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Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
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| The face-to-face lectures are usually scheduled as 3h/week during the first semester. |
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Recommended or required readings :
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| The lecture notes are provided in English as a pdf file. |
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Assessment methods and criteria :
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| The evaluation emphasizes the understanding of the course and the ability to use the techniques that have been taught. To successfully pass the exam students have to learn and understand.
The assessment is composed of two parts: 40% based upon a short report on the personal project and another 60% based upon an oral examination. |
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Work placement(s) :
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Organizational remarks :
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| N/A |
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Contacts :
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| Gregor Rauw
Chargé de Cours
Institut d'Astrophysique et Géophysique, Bât. B5c,
Allée du 6 Août, 17
4000 Liège
Tel. +32-(0)4 366 9740
e-mail: rauw@astro.ulg.ac.be |
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| Items online : |
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| Lecture notes |
| Lecture notes in Englis and copies of the slides in French. |
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